Frost dates for 87043Placitas, NM
The average last spring frost in Placitas is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 26 · May 7 · May 21 | Sep 26 · Oct 7 · Oct 19 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 10 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 8 · Apr 26 | Oct 15 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Placitas
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87043 is matched to the NOAA station Corrales, NM, 9 km away, at 5,026 ft elevation (178 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrales, NM (used) | 5,026 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| Placitas 4W, NM | 5,585 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 23 |
| Rio Rancho #1, NM | 5,230 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 23 |
| Jemez Dam, NM | 5,388 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Placitas
- Bernalillo, NM 87004 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Corrales, NM 87048 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Albuquerque, NM 87122 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Rio Rancho, NM 87124 · last Apr 17, first Oct 24
- Algodones, NM 87001 · last Apr 17, first Oct 24
- Sandia Park, NM 87047 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Cedar Crest, NM 87008 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM 87052 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Placitas, NM?
- For ZIP code 87043, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Corrales, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Placitas, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87043?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.